Contour Hardening, Inc. (CHI) was established in 1986 with a goal of
providing a cost-effective solution to difficult heat treatment applications. This
goal was attained through the development of an advanced computer-controlled induction
heating technology known and patented as the Micropulse™ Process. CHI
developed the Micropulse™ Process to rapidly harden gear teeth and other
irregularly shaped parts requiring a high degree to case depth hardening and
pattern accuracy. In 1986, a system was built specifically for CHI.
This first system is still used today for processing parts and developing
applications for customers. CHI has been building systems for its
customers since 1990. CHI's patented processes have dramatically
altered the traditional methods of manufacturing case hardened gears and
other irregularly shaped, complex parts requiring a high degree of
dimensional accuracy. CHI's innovative processes and designs
have yielded revolutionary improvements in our customers' products.
CHI
is positioned at the forefront of induction hardening technology. Our
systems have been used for induction heat treating on millions of parts.
Parts heat treated by CHI's patented processes exhibit less distortion.
They are stronger and more durable, and their quality is superior. The
Micropulse™
Process is based on the use of high power, high frequency, short
heat time cycles to produce less part movement and higher compressive
strength during the cycle. The process also utilizes CHI's
patented Absolute Pulse Controller (U.S. patents 52667654 and 5053596) to
control extremely short, high-powered bursts of energy required to heat the
part without distortion.
Since our inception in 1986, CHI has enjoyed
unprecedented growth. CHI moved to a new, larger facility in the
Summer of 2000. Our present location and latest proprietary induction
hardening systems were purposefully planned to respond to our customers'
requests for either induction hardening systems or contracted induction
hardening services.
During the fall of
2007 CHI created a satellite location in Silao, Guanajuato, Mexico. Our
Mexico facility also includes purpose-designed utilities, computerized gear
inspection equipment, and a complete metallurgical laboratory to support our
customers in Central and South America.
